Ndamukong Suh tops 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot after long wait. The legendary Nebraska football defensive tackle was officially …
After years of anticipation and mounting public support, legendary Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has officially topped the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. Known for his dominant presence on the field and a college career that left a lasting impact on the sport, Suh’s inclusion on the ballot is a long-awaited recognition of his extraordinary contributions to college football.
Suh played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 2005 to 2009, where he quickly emerged as one of the most disruptive and fearsome defensive players in college football history. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing over 300 pounds, Suh combined rare athleticism, strength, and football IQ. His 2009 senior season was one of the most dominant ever by a defensive lineman. That year, he recorded 85 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and an astonishing 10 pass breakups — numbers nearly unheard of for an interior lineman.
His signature performance came in the 2009 Big 12 Championship Game against Texas. Suh terrorized the Longhorns’ offensive line and quarterback Colt McCoy, finishing with 12 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Though Nebraska narrowly lost, Suh’s performance elevated him to national prominence and helped him become a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, finishing fourth — a rare feat for a defensive player.
Ndamukong Suh won numerous awards in 2009, including the Outland Trophy, Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award, and the Nagurski Trophy. He was also named a unanimous All-American and the AP College Football Player of the Year, underscoring his dominance. Despite his accolades, he was not immediately inducted into the Hall of Fame upon eligibility, a delay that sparked debate among fans and analysts.
The College Football Hall of Fame has long been criticized for its stringent eligibility requirements and occasional omission of seemingly obvious candidates. One such rule states that a player must have been named a First Team All-American by an organization recognized by the NCAA, which Suh clearly was. Many believed his delay in appearing on the ballot stemmed from procedural bottlenecks rather than merit-based concerns.
Now, with Suh finally leading the 2026 ballot, there is renewed excitement among Nebraska fans and college football historians. His legacy at Nebraska helped resurrect the Cornhuskers during the late 2000s, and he remains one of the most revered players in program history. Beyond statistics, Suh’s impact is measured by the respect he commanded on the field and the standard he set for defensive linemen.
Following his college career, Suh was selected second overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and went on to have a highly successful professional career, including Pro Bowl appearances, All-Pro honors, and a Super Bowl win with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yet for many fans, it was his time in Lincoln that truly defined his legacy.
As Suh headlines the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot, his long-overdue recognition represents not just an individual honor, but a celebration of defensive excellence in a sport often dominated by offensive accolades. His induction, should it follow, will be one of the most anticipated moments in recent Hall of Fame history.
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